HOLLAND -- In the Hope College huddle this season, everyone knows to whom they should listen.

The co-captains and only returning offensive starters for the school's 99th season of football are quarterback Jake Manning and left tackle Erik Ladomersky.

Hope graduated 24 seniors from last season's team.

"They are perfect for Division III athletics," Hope coach Dean Kreps said. "They're great students, great athletes and great people."

Manning is a three-year starter and is third in school history in passing yardage (4,394). At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, the left-hander's 2,459 passing yards in 2007 ranks third in a single season at Hope and helped him earn second team all-league.

HOPE AT A GLANCE

2007 record: 6-4 overall, 6-1 MIAA

Coach: Dean Kreps, 73-53 in 13 years at Hope

Starters returning: 2 on offense, 5 on defense

Notable: The Flying Dutchmen have won back-to-back MIAA titles, but lost 12 consecutive nonleague games.

"He's never going to be a real loud, boisterous guy," Kreps said. "You never see him get too high or too low."

Manning acknowledges that about his personality. And knows it's something he will need to work on.

"Both of us (Ladomersky) need to step up vocally, whether we want to or not," Manning said. "It's what we need to do."

Ladomersky anchors the offensive line. The 6-1, 270-pounder from Grandville, also backs it up as a two-time, first team all-league selection.

"It's different," Ladomersky said of his new role as a senior leader. "Guys are asking me what to do. It's fun."

Kreps said he likes his linemen in that position, especially a player like Ladomersky. A fourth-year starter, he is a biochemistry major planning to study medicine.

"It's always good to have linemen who are leaders," Kreps said. "People listen to them. They're big."